New GWS Tiger Moth 400; what to expect!

I just received a TM400 kit, and I'm willing to pass on info about it.
Before I ordered it, I was unable to get much info about it, or the GWS 400D motor system. I plan to modify the kit quite a bit, and repower it with a Promax cobalt 400 geared, KAN 1050 setup.

The kit was designed for people who will build it just as it is designed, using just the parts included. They do post the wingspan, 37.8", and wing area, 424 Sq. in. I weighed all the parts, and the total flying weight with recommended battery and rc gear should be around20-21 ounces, giving a loading of around 7 oz. per ft. sq. The included motor is a speed 400 with a 3:1 gearbox. MotoCalc indicates that the model should take-off quick, climb rapidly, and loop and roll from level flight. (It has ailerons). In other words, it should fly well with the stock setup and 800MAH 7 or 8 cell NIMH battery. The access to the battery is thru the front cockpit, which is good as you don't want to remove the wings to charge it.

I plan to use a Promax cobalt 3:1 geared system, with a 7 & 8 cell KAN 1050 NIMH battery, and may have to remove some foam to make room for the battery. I will add a carbon fiber spar to both wings, plywood struts instead of plastic, and structural wire rigging so that the plane can hold together in violent aerobatics.
I also will airbrush camoflage (acrylic artist paint) on fuse and upper surfaces. With the added 3 or so ounces, wing loading will still be only 8, due to the wing area.

As the project moves along, I will post pix and details here.

If anyone has questions, I'll be glad to respond. Happy Landings!...John

will be finished tomorrow sometimes as all i have left to do is tail feathers and radio gear

lotsa mold dimples and nibs (typical for GWS foamies)

1 half of the fuse is larger (taller than the other) so as you build line up the wing saddle area

directions so far... found 1 minor glitch ...shows the installation of the cabane mounts and cowl screw pads but does not direct it to be done, so if your just reading along as you build a newbie might never catch it.

maiden on mine will be stock ...than right to a razor 2500 geared 4:1 on 3s TP2100 heh heh....

so far so good though and overall as good a kit as any of the GWS planes

I put a carbon spar about 10" long in my upper wing. If you are going to putt-putt along, it is likely not needed, but for aerobatics it really adds strength to the assembly. I notched out the tops of the cabine struts so it could pass through, and glued it all in at once with epoxy and microballoons.

and you are welcomed to browse and should you have any questions let me know.

Fourth, the foam wing that I could see in the picture really is no different than the STEARMAN's and these are slow models so, any slight undercamberness or other shape really is not going to make lots of difference except to say they will be slow.

I did see a video of the TM400, however, and it seems to have a little more speed than the STEARMAN but of course that's a visual perception since the STEARMAN has a larger FUSE and perhaps they maybe the same in speed and with lots of drag.

I have had lots of good luck with the 6 Volt GRAUPNER SPEED 400 in the EPS-400C "G" Gearing (4.5:1 ratio) swinging the large GWS "HYPER" 1170 Prop and using the KOKAMs 1500mAH (3S1P) Li-POLYs. At 22 oz. fully flight ready, this setup really performs!

Best of luck on your build and if you need to set it up stock then, keep the ratio it comes with since that motor is the 7.2 Volt SPEED 400 and has a lower RPM/VOLT and needs lower gear ratio.

Best of Luck and hope to see your build and flight report soon!
Carlos